Colorado Eagles look on the bright side

Alaska trip yielded no wins, but growth a key

By Adam Dunivan Sports Writer

Posted:
11/19/2012 06:42:18 PM MST

Chris Stewart

They went to war without their captain, and the Colorado Eagles fought to the bitter end.

Coming up with just one of a possible six points might not have been the results head coach Chris Stewart was looking for as the team traveled to Alaska the past week with Riley Nelson at home, but watching the squad compete at what might be the hardest place for a visiting team to win brought about plenty of positives to retain.

The Aces were strong in defending their home ice at Sullivan Arena, winning by scores of 4-3, 5-4 and 4-3 in their sweep of the series (they now lead the season series, 4-1). Those one-goal games included two in which Alaska was forced to rally and a third on Saturday where Colorado came within a couple inches of tying the game late after trailing 3-0.

After a long travel day on Sunday allowed Stewart to mull over the results, he came home thinking his team will see plenty to come out of the week, especially heading into a stretch that might be just as tough.

"They were games well played, and in all three I think we took a step in the right direction," Stewart said. "Although we fell short I don't think it was lack of effort by any means. There were some good plays made on either end by both teams ... There's no denying we came up short, but you look at the growth of the hockey club, the growth pattern is there. That's what we look for."

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Each loss came with a different story, but the Aces definitely benefited in the set from having three NHL players in the lineup. Over the course of the three games, Nate Thompson netted three goals and added two assists, Scott Gomez had two goals and three assists and Joey Crabb had two goals and two assists. That's seven of Alaska's 14 scores.

Meanwhile, the Eagles continued to see some of their younger forwards find the net. Not only did rookie Dylan Hood score his second and third goals of the year, but Kyle Ostrow -- who has been playing very well since he gave Kevin Ulanski his No. 9 and changed to No. 28 -- scored his first pro goal with 52 seconds left in Saturday's game. That gave the Eagles at least a chance for an extra-attack situation needing just a goal to tie it.

"Our first- and second-year players are contributing as well, and that depth in scoring is, in my opinion, the recipe for success in the long run," Stewart said. "We scored to get down just one with just under a minute (Saturday), pull the goalie and the guys came through and there was pretty good execution with the pattern we wanted to run. (Chad Costello) snaps one off the post, so it's a couple inches away from a tie game.

"That never-say-die attitude is something we've wanted to instill in the players and the team in what we're trying to accomplish, and they showed that in all three games, I thought."

The Eagles are hopeful for Nelson's return from injury this week when they host defending ECHL champion Florida at the Budweiser Events Center (Wednesday, 7 p.m.). With him back and likely teaming up with Kevin Ulanski, the Eagles will continue to have three scoring lines with a lot of potential, and the possibilities are becoming even more evident.

As for other injuries, goalie Tyler Plante sustained one that forced him out of Saturday's game. After getting hurt, he remained in the contest for awhile but had to be pulled with five minutes left in the second period. Stewart said there is no timetable for Plante's return, but Colorado is in good position having retained a third goalie on the roster -- rookie Adam Brown.

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